Chapter 3

The cafe was filled with smell of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries and cakes, there was comforting aroma of flowers that could have calmed Lily’s nerves. But they didn’t.

She spotted Kevin in no time. He was sitting in a corner seat near window having perfect and professional aura, his one hand was clutching on a cup of coffee while the other was tapping impatiently against his lap. His perfectly brown hair and those chocolate eyes made him look so elegant and perfect. But those dark circles gave him the look of someone who hadn’t slept in days.

Lily sighed and approached Kevin clutching her bag like it was a shield for her.

“You’re Kevin?” she asked, her tone was guarded.

He looked up, his eyes narrowing, then he looked at his watch. “You’re late don't you think.”

“It’s 10:02,” Lily said back, sitting into the seat right in front of him. “And you’re lucky that I showed up.”

Kevin leaned back, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I that so with some irritated expression. But since you’re here, let’s get to the point. From few days weird things are happening to me, and from what you’ve said on the phone, they’re happening to you too aswell right.”

“I didn’t say much on the phone,” Lily replied. “You did all the talking.”

Kevin’s lips twitched to form a slight smile but it was just the beginning of a smile, but he quickly masked it with a serious expression. “Right. Fine. So here’s the thing. I accidentally opened this old book now don't ask why,how ,etc.......don’t even ask why and how your name got popped up there cuz I also don't know . And when I got to know about you name since then, I’ve been searching you..... From then on I started seeing creepy shadows, hearing horrible voices, cold air making me shiver. Sounds familiar right?”

Lily hesitated. She didn’t want to admit it, but everything he described matched her own experiences. “Maybe yes.”

Kevin raised his eyebrow. “So that’s a yes.”

Lily bristled. “Look, I don’t know you, but sometimes I really think something is wrong someone is trying to mess around . For all I know, I think you could be some con artist trying to mess with me.”

Kevin groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Con artist? Do I look like someone who has their life together enough to run a scam?”

Lily opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, the lights in the cafe starts to flicker which scared the shit out of them.

Both of them froze on the spot.

“Does that happen often here?” Kevin asked, his voice tense.

Lily shook her head, her heart was pounding intensely in her chest.

The air grew more colder, and the other people began look around, being so confused. A shadow appeared and disappeared across the walls, too quick and that was unnatural to be caused by the sunlight streaming through the windows.

Lily’s hands clenched around her bag. “What is that?” she whispered.

“I was hoping you’d know,” Kevin replied, with a little terrified voice his voice was low.

The shadow moved again, this time itwas darting across the floor like a living thing. A woman near the counter stumbled as her coffee cup shattered in her hands.

Kevin grabbed Lily’s arm. “We need to get out of here right now.”

Lily didn’t argue. She let him pull her toward the exit door, but before they could reach it, the shadow transformed into a human figure tall and indistinct, like a smoke given form.

That figure blocked their path, its featureless head was tilting as if it was studying them.

“What the hell is that?” Kevin hissed, stepping protectively in front of Lily.

The figure raised an arm, and the temperature dropped further. Fog began to start forming on the windows, and a low, unnatural voices echoed through the cafe.

“Bound... together...”

Lily shivered, clutching Kevin’s jacket. “Is it talking about us?”

“Seems like it,” Kevin muttered. “Great. Just great.”

The figure took a step forward, and Kevin reacted instinctively, grabbing a nearby chair and threw it at the shadow. The chair passed through the figure harmlessly, but the motion seemed to disrupt it for a moment.

“Run!” Kevin yelled, grabbing Lily’s hand.

They came out of the cafe, leaving behind a room full of frightened customers and staff. Outside, the sunlight felt perfectly normal compared to the chaos they’d just incountered.

They didn’t stop running until they reached a nearby park, collapsing onto a bench, both of them were panting heavily.

“Well,” Kevin said between breaths, “I’d say that confirms we’re cursed by something or maybe someone.”

Lily glared at him. “Ahhhh Fuck This is all your fault! why you opened that book!”

“Hey, I didn’t know it was cursed!” Kevin shot back. “Who expects an old book that could ruin our life this way?”

Lily groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening. What are we supposed to do now?”. Being totally terrified.

Kevin leaned back, staring up at the sky. “I guess we will figure out how to break this curse. And fast.”

Lily looked at him, with are you serious look across her face. “You make it sound so simple, huh???”

Kevin shrugged. “I’m a lawyer. Problem-solving is kind of my thing.”

Before Lily could retort, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and frowned at the screen.

Unknown Number: This is only the beginning.

She showed it to Kevin, her hand were trembling. “What does that mean?”

Kevin’s expression darkened. “It means we have been cursed........